Machine for wiring corked bottles.



PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

'F. GRABSSER. MACHINE FOR WIRING OORKED BOTTLES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I Jivvazalar fran 145 THE mum's PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

PATENTEDYTULY 30,; 1907. P. GRAESSER. MACHINE FOR WIRING GORKED BOTTLES.

APILIOATION I TLED SEPT. 22, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q witnesses- THE mum's FE1ERS co., WASHINGTON, 0. c,

No. 861,971. 1 PATENTED JULY 30, 1907. I. GRAESSER.

MACHINE FOR WIRING GORKED BOTTLES.

APPLICATION nun snmzz, 1904.

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PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

F. GRAEssER. MACHINE FOR WIRING 002mm) BOTTLES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1904.

e SHEBTS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

P. GRAESSER.

MACHINE FOR WIRING GORKED BOTTLES.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

)Z-mz Grzesser- Juan/v06 ru': NuRRIS runs co, wasnmamu, n. c

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

F. GRAESSER,

MACHINE FOR WIRING GORKED BOTTLES.

APPLICATION IILED SEPT. 22, 19M.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

rm: Noam; PETERS 00,, wAsumorou, n c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ GRAESSER, OF HOYLAKE, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HARLEY, OFLIVERPOOL, COUNTY OF LANCASTER, ENGLAND.

MACHINE FOR WIRING GORKED BOTTLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application filed $eptember 22, 1904:. 381ml 225,455.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ GRAESSER, a subject of the King of England,and a resident of 31 Cable road, Hoylake, in the county of Chester,England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinesfor Wiring Oorked Bottles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object a machine for wiring corked bottles,and which will take almost any sized bottle.

It consists of a framework at which the operator sits or stands, amachine in front consisting of a frame carrying an axle; a rising andfalling spring clip for holding the bottle head; a reciprocating deviceor wire guide acting also for placing a wooden disk on the top of thecork prior to wiring; devices for pressing the free wires down to levelwith the bottle neck; a device for twisting the wire with multiple twistand central loop after the bottle has been placed in position; a devicefor cutting the twistnear the loop; a device in the case of a hand andtreadle machine, for holding the twisting mechanism until the bottle andwire guide have been lowered out of position; a friction device forplacing a heavy strain on the bottom wires, and a lighter strain on thetop wires; a fast and loose pulley and cam on the main shaft in the caseof power machines, or a treadle and hand crank in the case of handmachines; a spring mushroom adjustable bottle rest and trippers, forlifting and lowering the bottle automatically; a device for throwing thebottle out of the clip; a wood top follower and guide for top wirescarrying the central spring clip or hook which brings the wood top on tothe bottle and holds it there as the wire guide withdraws, and whichfollower and guide are actuated either by a rising table for a shortdistance, and then by the bottle, or, by a spring, and then by thebottle. There are also fingers or claws on the follower which hold thewood top and top wires in position. A ratchet and pawl prevents the mainshaft going the wrong way.

The several sets of mechanism, which together constitute a machine,constructed according to this invention are classified, for the sake ofclearness, as follows,-l. Mechanism for manipulating the bottle. 2.Wiring mechanism. 3. Wood top supplying and manipulating mechanism.

The first of these sets comprisesz-(a) Mechanism for raising the bottleto a suitable position for Wiring. (1)) Mechanism for supporting thebottle during Wiring. ((2) Mechanism for delivering the bottle afterwiring.

The second set comprisesz-(a) A tension regulating device. (1))Mechanism for guiding some of the wires round the neck of the bottle.(0) Mechanism for guiding some of the wires over the top of the bottle.(d) Mechanism for twisting, looping, and cutting the wires. (0)Mechanism for pressing the projecting ends and loop of wire against theneck of the bottle, after the wiring has been completed.

The third set comprisesz-(a) A tube or container for wood tops. (1))Mechanism for holding a wood top on the bottle. (0) A device forcarrying a wood top from the container to the bottle.

Drawings illustrating my invention are annexed hereto, in which:

Figure 1 represents generally, in front elevation, a bottle wiringmachine, showing a bottle in its lowermost position, ready for wiring;while Fig. 2 shows the bottle in its uppermost position, and prior tothe wires'being twisted and cut. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the wire guideand wood top follower; and parts connected therewith. Figs. 4, and 4 aredetails relating to Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a plan view, drawn to an enlargedscale, of parts of the mechanism for clipping and sup porting the bottleduring wiring. Fig. 5 illustrates, generally, in side elevation, thelooping, twisting, and cutting mechanism; and also mechanism for raisingand lowering the bottle. Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically a modified meansof actuating the bottle. Figs. 6 and 6 are front and side views,respectively, of the twisting pinion, as shown in Fig. 5, drawn to anenlarged scale. Fig. '7 shows a modified shape of twisting pinion. Fig.8 represents, in side elevation, mechanism for pressing the projectingends and loop of wire against the neck of the bottle, after the wiringhas been completed. Fig. 9 shows, in side elevation, parts of a hand andtreadle machine, according to my invention.

In the drawings, like figures of reference denote like or similar partswherever they occur.

Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to Figs. 1 to81-1. (Fig. 1) represents the bottle to be wired, which is placed uponthe spring actuated adjustable support or rest 2. The rest 2 ismaintained in its lowermost position, and against the resistance of aspring 3 disposed within a socket 4 in the crosshead 5, by means of thetripping lever 6, fulcrumed at 7 upon the slide or distance piece 8. Inits downward motion, one end of lever 6 engages with a stop 10,adjustable in the slot 10 provided in the bracket 11; which is bolted tothe frame 9.

The bottle rest 2 is so adjusted that when a bottle 1 is placed upon it,its head is between or immediately below clips 12 which slide in groovesin the bottle holder bracket 15, being held in position by a plate 13;and said clips grip the bottle neck 1 (Fig. 4 during the wiringoperation through springs 14 secured to the bottle holder or clipsupporting bracket 15, which latter is, in turn, carried by the slide ordistance piece 8.

In a modification, the clip supports 13 (Fig. 4 may be provided withsprings 13 and cut-away parts 13 to permit of lateral play of the clips.13 being recesses provided, so that in cases of double wiring theyreceive the twisted ends of the wires already on the bottle neck.

In some cases, the clip actuating springs may be disposed above theclips in A formation, in order to increase their pressure as the bottleneck rises to its top position.

What I term the wire guide is generally designated 16, and moves in adovetailed recess provided in its support 16', which is firmly securedto the slide or distance piece 8 The wire guide head 16, has pivoted toit at 20 on either side a radial rod 19 with an eye at the end, throughwhich one of the top wires 23 passes. The rods 19 are connected, througharms 70, 71, 72, (Figs. 3 and 4 with a small roller path 22 secured byarm 73 to the wire guide support 16*. Below the rods 19, referred to, isdisposed, on each side of the wire guide head 1.6, a radial acting tubewhich carries one of the bottom wires 25. The tubes are fulcrumed to thehead 16 on either side as at 24 and are connected with each other by aspring 24 which passes under the wire guide 16. The two upper wires 23are led from reels or bobbins 26, 26*, mounted on the spindle 75, whichis supported by the outer frame 74; while the two lower wires 25 are ledfrom the reels 27, 27 mounted on the spindle 75 The lower part of thewire guide head 16 on either side is wedge shaped, the wedges 17 beingadapted to engage with rollers 18 carried by the clips 12, and so openthe clips against the resistance of springs 14. A finger 28 is pivotedto one side of the wire guide head 16 below the wedges 17, and isconnected to the other side by a spring (see Fig. 4) 29. This finger 28is adapted to push the bottle 1 free from the clips 12 after wiring.

30 designates the wood top storage tube, which may be of any suitablelength, for the purpose of holding a supply of wood tops or disks.

On either side of the wire guide 16 rollers 31 are mounted, and move inthe roller paths 32; the latter being firmly secured to the frame of themachine.

The driving axle 33 carries a segment 35, provided with teeth 36, andwhich is adapted to gear with the twisting pinion 37, suitably supportedin a casing 38 from the upper part 42 of the frame. The casing 38 has apart cut away co-incident with the hiatus in pinion 37. The twistingpinion 37, as shown clearly in Figs. to 7, has a part out out up to thecenter, and has a central pin 40 pointing down into the hiatus. The fourwires 23, 25, when the bottle is in its highest position pass throughthe hiatus on each side of the pin. The segmental wheel 35, and pinion37 being rotated, the pinion 37 twists the wires three or four timesround thus forming a double twist, that is, one twist on each side ofthe pin 40, and a loop between the twists where the pin 40 goes through.A pawl 58 engaging with the twisting pinion 37 holds the pinion in thetrue position at the end of the stroke for the wires 23, 25, to enterthe hiatus.

39 represents a cutting knife provided on the segment 35, which, whenthe wheel and pinion have arrived at or nearly the last cog, comes intoaction, passing a sta tionary knife 55 with a deeply corrugated flatedge 56 (which knife also helps to keep the pinion 37 in position), andshears the wires just beyond the loop. A flat metal spring 57 serves toforce the twisted wires downwards after being severed, the wires havingbeen slightly elevated in the action of cutting.

The twisting pinion 37 is provided with a collar 37 which fits androtates in a suitable bearing provided for it in the casing 38.

34 indicate fast and loose pulleys mounted on shaft 33, a suitable forkor other device being employed for throwing the belt on to the loosepulley, when one revolution of the main shaft is made. Or, in connectionwith the driving mechanism, 1 may provide a clutch, by which thestarting and stopping of the machine may be effected.

Power for driving the machine may be applied dircctly on to the mainshaft, as shown, or through suitable gearing.

41 represents a stationary central wedge, secured to 42, which wedgeenters between and insures the opening of the bottom wire carrying tubes24, (see Fig. 2), for the purpose of regulating the length of twist ofthe wires.

. 43 represents the wood top follower and guide for the top wires 23, 44being a central spring claw or hook pivoted at 44 and which holds thewood top in position above the bottle while the wire guide is beingwith- Q drawn.

45 are claws or fingers on the underside of the follower 43, which holdthe wood top and top wires 23 in position.

A rod 46 disposed in a stationary sleeve or casing 47, rests upon andadds weight to the follower 43 and to further increase the pressure onsame, I provide at the upper part of the rod, a spring 48.

The wood top follower 43 rests, when the parts are in their lowermostpositions upon the table or platform 49, which slides in the dovetailedrecess in socket 50 carried by the distance piece or slide 8. The table49 is connected by means of a rod 50 (having a spring dis posed upon it)with a projection 51, which engages with a stop 52 upon the frame 9 initsupward travel.

53 is a stop upon the frame 9, with which the lever 6 engages in itsupward travel.

The device I employ, whereby a heavy strain -is placed on the bottomwires, comprises a plate 54, secured to the slide or distance piece 8and having holes in it on either side, through which the bottom wires 25pass. As the plate 54 rises, and the wires are drawn from the reels 27,27 tension is placed-upon them by reason of the friction between themand the spindles or bars 25, in and out of which the wires are threaded.The top wires are subjected to less friction, as they are passed in andout of fewer bars.

The actuation of the bottle rest and bottle, and parts hereafterreferred to is effected bya cam 58, carried on the main shaft 33, whichcam engages with the bell crank lever 59, 59 and so, through 59 and 59,actuates the crosshead 5, to which the bottle rest 2 is connected. Aspring 60 may be employed to assist the downward motion of these parts.A roller 61 is provided on the cam 58, which engages with a lever 62,fulcrumed at 63 to the casing 38. This lever 62 is connected with aslide 66 movable in guides 67 on 38, through red working in slot 64 insaid lever. A spring 68 normally keeps the slide in its top position.

69 represents a guard for the segment 35.

Referring now to Fig. 9 of the drawings, which shows in side view partsof a hand and treadle machine, according to my invention, and in whichthe toothed segment 35 does not makea complete revolution, as in thepower machine, hereinbefore described, 76 represents a tumbling finger,fulcrumed to the bottle holder 15, and is adapted to be guided round bythe contour of the cam shaped part '77. 81 is a weight disposed withinthe casing 82, and connected by a chain with pulley 84, carried on thedriving axle 33, which is rotated by means of a suitable crank handle. Acatch 80 is connected with a bell crank lever 78 fulcrumed at 79, andprojects through a slot into the casing 82, a projection 98 on 8 engageswith the lever 78 in its downward travel. 85 indicates a spring catch orbolt carried by the bracket 15 for the purpose of insuring the tumblingfinger 76 always rotating in the desired direction, 11. a. clockwise.The slides or distance pieces are actuated, in this case, by pressure ofthe foot upon the foot plate 90, supported on the lever 86, one end ofwhich is pivoted at 87 to 89, the other end being connected to the benchby a spring 88, if desired, and so, through links 91, lever 92 fulcrumedat 93, link 97. attached at 94 to the slide or distance piece 8 whenlever 86 is pressed downwards by the user sitting astride the seat 96,the slides are raised; and are lowered on the pressure being removed. 95indicates a stop for the purpose of limiting the upward travel of slides8 I will now describe the operations of wiring a bottle, moreparticularly with reference to the machine as described and illustratedin Figs. 1 to 8.

Assuming the parts of the machine to be in the position as shown in Fig.1, the bottle 1 is placed upon the bottle rest or support 2, with itsneck l between or im mediately below the clips 12, which have been previously automatically opened by the wedge pieces 17 on wire guide head16 coming between the rollers 18 on same. In this position of the bottlethe tripping lever 6 has engaged with stop 10, and thereby lowered thebottle rest 2 against the resistance of spring 3. Upon rotation of thedriving axle 33, the cam 58 on same, through the link and lover gear asbefore referred to, causes the crosshead 5 to rise. As said crosshead 5rises, the lever 6, being connected to the slide or distance piece 8,also rises, and the spring 3 lifts the bottle head above the clip andbottom wire carrying tubes and against the underside of the wire guidehead 16, and immediately below awood top, which is lying in theembayment 16 provided for it in the wire guide head. In this position,the flange of the bottle is above tubes 24 carrying the bottom wires, soas to insure wires 25 being below the bottle flange upon the withdrawalof the wire guide 16.

In the modified means of actuating the bottle, as shown diagrammaticallyin Fig. 5 the adjustable bottle rest 2 is linked by links 98 to a lever99 fulcrumed at 101 and having weight 100 which lever is tripped by stop102 in its downward travel, the pressure of the wood top follower 43being sufficient to press the bottle downwards until its flange restsupon the clips alter the wire guide is withdrawn. The fulcrum 101, beingsupported from crosshead 5, the bottle rest has always a tendency tomove upwards. As the slides or distance pieces 8, 8 rise the followingparts are raised by them. Slide 8;Clip supporting bracket 15 carryingclips 12 and springs 14, socket 50, table 49 and projection 51; and woodtop follower 43. Slide 8 ;Wire guide 16, to the head of which isconnected (a) radial rods 19 carrying top wires, (1)) radial tubes 24carrying bottom wires, (0) wedge pieces 17, (d) spring finger 28. Wireguide supportlG. Wood top container 30. Bottom wire tension plate 54.Small roller path 22, (Fig. 4 As the movement upwards continues, thewire guide head 16is withdrawn (by reason of the rollers 31 moving intheir stationary roller paths 32), to the other side of the cutting andtwisting mechanism, without coming into contact with the latter, andleaving the wood disk on the bottle, which disk has been restrained frommovement laterally by the spring claw or hook 44 and claws or fingers45, and at or about this time the upward motion of the temporary supportor table 49 is arrested, by reason of the projections 51 engaging withstop 52, whereupon the follower 43 rests solely upon the wood top (or ifa wood top is not being used it rests upon the bottle or cork itself),and holds it firmly in position on the cork, and at the same time theclaws 45 keep the top wires in position. As the wire guideis withdrawn,the clips 12 close upon the bottle neck. Shortly after the table 49 hasceased to support the follower 43, lever 6 engages with stop 53,whereupon the bottle rest 2 is depressed somewhat, allowing the bottleto move downwards by reason of its weight and the increasing pressure ofthe wood top follower 43 upon it by the coinpression spring 48, untilits flange meets the clip 12 in its upward travel, by which it iscarried into position in line with, or just above the center of twistingspindle 37 (see Fig. 2), thus insuring the wires being twisted togetherdirectly under the flange of the bottle, notwithstanding variations insizes and shapes of bottle heads, or in the manner in which the corkshave been driven into the bottles; or, within certain limits, of thelengths of the bottles themselves. As the wire guide head 16 iswithdrawn, the radial rods 19,with eyes for the top Wires, are actuatedthrough the small roller path 22, the ends movingdownwards, as shown inFig. 2, so dopressing the top wires 23 over the head of the bottle intoposition for twisting. At the same time the radial tubes 24, carryingthe bottom wire eyes, and actuated by spring 24, and bottle, openoutwards and press the bottom wires round the neck of the bottle, and,as the bottle and wire guide rise, they bring these wires into thetwisting mechanism, that is, all four wires are brought together, two(one upper and one lower) on either side of the pin 40 of the twistingpinion 37, and at or about the center of the pinion. The toothed segment35 on the main shaft 33 now gears with the pinion 37 and rotates it, sotwisting the wires, the wedge piece 41 permitting the twist to run upthe wires, and regulating the length of same. The twisted wires are nowsheared by the knife 39, near the loop formed by the pin 40, so leavingthe four ends of the wires in the wire guide twisted. ready for the nextbottle.

During the operations of twisting and cutting, the reciprocating wireguide is at the limit of its outward travel, and the embayment 1Gprovided'in it has moved under the wood top storage tube 30, and hasreceived a wood top. The cam 58 now permits the slides or distancepieces 8, 8 and parts operatingin conjunction with them, as beforedescribed, to be lowered; and when the loop on the wired bottle islowered clear of pin 40 a pause in the cam arrests the downward travel,and roller 61, coming into contact with lever 62, moves the slide 66downwards, and presses the twisted wires with loop against the side ofthe bottle neck. As the bottle continues to descend the spring finger 28on the wire guide 16 pushes its head out of the clip, and against theinner side oli the bottle holder 15, which is lined with rubber, felt,or other suitable material to prevent breakage of the bottle. In themeantime, the wood top has moved under the hook 44 and claws 45, and themachine is now ready for another bottle.

Referring now to the hand and treadle machine, as illustrated in Fig. 9,the operator places a bottle upon the bottle rest, and, by pressing uponthe foot plate or treadle 90, moves the bottle and slides 8 which carryor actuate the parts as before described, up to the twisting mechanism.In its upward travel, the then upper end of the tumbling finger 76 comesinto contact with the cam shaped groove 77, and is inclined forward bythe contour of same; then (after twisting and cutting) as the bottleholder moves downwards, the other end of the finger comes into contactwith part 77', thereby completing its revolution, and in so doingengages with the twisted wires and loop, and presses them against theneck of the bottle. The handle eonneeted with shaft 33 is then moved bythe operator through its arc, whereby the operations of twisting andcutting are effected, in the manner as hereinbe'iore described. At thesame time the counter weight 81 connected with pulley 84 by chain 83 israised above the catch 80, and is supported by it, in order when thehandle is-re1easedto prevent the return of the twisting mechanism(segment 35 being always in gear with pinion 37) until the wires havemoved down, and are clear of the twisting pinion 37. Otherwise, thereturning segment, rotating pinion 37 in the reverse direction, woulduntwist the wires on the bottle. In the continued downward movement, theprojection on slide 8 comes into contact with lever 78, and, withdrawingcatch 80, allows the counterweight to fall, so bringing about the returnof the segment at the desired time.

While the machines, as hereinbeiore described, are designed moreparticularly for the use of four separate wires, any other suitablenumber of wires may be employed, if desired,

It is to be stated that I do not confine myself to the precisemechanical'details as hereinbefore described, as these may obviously bemodified without departing from the essential characteristics of myinvention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In bottle wiring machines of the kind herein described, incombination, pinion 37, quadrant 35, movable knife 3. stationary knife55, and spring 57; substantially as described.

2 In a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner herein specified, adevice for twisting the wires on to the neck of the bottle with multipletwist and loop, comprising in combination, a pinion having a part cutout of same, and a central pin pointing down into the hiatus, saidpinion being mounted on a stationary part of the frame of the machine; astationary central wedge 41 and means for twisting the wires;substantially as described.

1%. For use in a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner hereinspecified, mechanism for guiding the wires round the neck of the bottle,comprising in combination the wire guide 10, radial eye rods 19, radialtubes 2% connected by spring 24 wedges 17, and spring finger 2S; andmeans for imparting movement to said wire guides, substantially asdescribed.

-l. For use in a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner hereinspecified, the means for holding a wood top temporarily upon the cork,comprising in combination with follower 43, spring claw -14, fingers 15,and means for weighting said follower, substantially as described.

I). For use in a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner hereinspecified, the means of guiding the wires upon and around the bottle andtemporarily holding a wood top comprising in combination wire guide 16,radial eye rods 19 connected to wire guide 16, radial tubes 2 1connected by spring 24 wedges 17, spring finger 28, tellower 43 withspring claw i4, fingers 45, and means for weighting said follower,substantially as described,

(3. For use in a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner hereinspecified, in combination, wire guide 16, radial eye rods 19 connectedto said wire guide 16, radial tubes 2 1 connected by spring 24 wedges17, spring finger 28, follower 13 provided with spring claw 44, fingers45, means for weighting said follower, table 49 movable in socket 50,red 50 projection 51, and a stop 52 on frame 9, substantially asdescribed.

7. For use in a bottle wiring machine operating in the manner hereinspecified means for controlling the bottle during wiring operationscomprising spring clips 12, carried by bracket 15 supported on frame 9,and Wedges 17 on guide 16, adapted to force the clips back against there sistance of springs, substantially as described.

8. in a device of the class described, clip supports 13 having cut awayportions 13 clips 12 having recesses 13 therein and carried by saidsupports and springs 13 gaging with the clips.

9. In a bottle wiring machine, a wire guide 16 having a recess 16therein, a reservoir 30 for delivering tops to said recess, means forreciprocating the guide 16 and a follower 13 for holding the top on thebottle.

10. In a bottle wiring machine, a bottle rest 2, springs for raising therest, a movable cross head carrying the rest, a lever (i and stops forengaging with the lever to lower the rest against one of the springs.

11. In a bottle wiring machine, means for pressing the twisted wireagainst the neck of the bottle, said means Consisting (52 having a slot64 at one end, a link 65 having one end pivoted in said slot and itsother end connected to the side and means engaging with the other end ofthe lever for rocking the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence oi two subscribing witnesses.

FRANZ GRAESSER.

Witnesses Jon): II. \VALKER, JoIIN Knnn.

of a vertically movable slide, a two arm lever

